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Zebra mussels discovered in another Otter Tail County lake

ST. PAUL -- Zebra mussels have been confirmed in Walker Lake near Ottertail, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Thursday, Oct. 11.

The lake is connected to Otter Tail Lake, which also was confirmed to contain zebra mussels in 2016.

The DNR said a lake property owner contacted them after finding five adult zebra mussels on an irrigation intake while removing it for the season. DNR invasive species staff found more zebra mussels on other equipment in the same area of the lake and where Walker Lake outlets into Otter Tail Lake.

“New zebra mussel populations are often discovered in the fall,” DNR Invasive Species Unit Supervisor Heidi Wolf said a statement. “It’s important to carefully check docks, boat lifts and other equipment being removed for the season and to contact the DNR if you think you’ve found an invasive species.”

Minnesota law requires keeping docks and lifts out of the water for at least 21 days before putting them into another body of water.

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